Vice President Gore Commends House for PNTR Vote

Vice President Al Gore commended the House of
Representatives for voting May 24 to extend Permanent Normal
Trade Relations (PNTR) status to China.

In a statement
released shortly after the vote, Gore said: "Integrating
China into the global trading system and accelerating
development of the rule of law in China will advance our
national security."

Following is the text of the Vice
President's statement:

(begin text)

May 24,
2000

STATEMENT BY THE VICE PRESIDENT ON CHINA PNTR

THE
WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

Wednesday, May
24, 2000

STATEMENT BY THE VICE PRESIDENT ON CHINA PNTR

I
commend the House of Representatives for voting today to
extend Permanent Normal Trade Relations status to China. I
have supported PNTR for China because I believe it will mean
good jobs for American workers and enhanced American
prosperity. Integrating China into the global trading system
and accelerating development of the rule of law in China
will advance our national security.

Many in my own party
disagreed with us on this issue. They argued passionately
that this agreement was not in our best interest.

I do not
for a moment question their commitment to the best interests
of our country or their values. I reached a different
conclusion about how to translate the values that we share
into action.

We must continue our efforts to assure that
workers will succeed in a global economy. We must respond
quickly and effectively to unfair trade practices when they
threaten U.S. workers and communities. And we must
vigorously monitor China's progress on human rights,
non-proliferation, and protection of the environment.

I
want to thank members who focused the legislative debate,
including Speaker Hastert, Congressmen Archer and Rangel of
the Ways and Means Committee, and Congressmen Levin and
Bereuter who sponsored a provision establishing a human
rights commission and strengthening our ability to protect
against import surges.

(end text)

(Distributed by the
Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site:
http://usinfo.state.gov)

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